Systems and methods of sprinkler deflector deployment

ABSTRACT

A sprinkler includes a connector, a body, at least one pin, and a deflector. The connector extends between an inlet end and an outlet end. The body includes a pin wall extending from the outlet end of the connector. The pin wall defines at least one pin receiver. The body wall extends from the pin wall. The pin wall and the body wall define a chamber. The at least one pin is fixed with the at least one pin receiver. The deflector is coupled with the at least one pin to move within the chamber along the at least one pin responsive to a trigger condition from an undeployed state to a deployed state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/045,306, filed Jun. 29, 2020, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Fire protection systems can use sprinklers to output fluids to addressfire conditions. The sprinklers can be mounted in various locations in abuilding, and can be mounted in a concealed configuration.

SUMMARY

At least one aspect relates to a sprinkler. The sprinkler can include aconnector, a body, at least one pin, and a deflector. The connectorextends between an inlet end and an outlet end. The body includes a pinwall extending from the outlet end of the connector. The pin walldefines at least one pin receiver. The body wall extends from the pinwall. The pin wall and the body wall define a chamber. The at least onepin is fixed with the at least one pin receiver. The deflector iscoupled with the at least one pin to move within the chamber along theat least one pin responsive to a trigger condition from an undeployedstate to a deployed state.

At least one aspect relates to a sprinkler system. The sprinkler systemcan include one or more pipes coupled with a fluid supply and asprinkler. The sprinkler includes a connector, a pin wall, at least onepin, and a deflector. The connector extends between an inlet end and anoutlet end. The pin wall extends from the outlet end of the connectorand defines at least one pin receiver. The at least one pin is fixedwith the at least one pin receiver. The deflector is coupled with the atleast one pin to move along the at least one pin responsive to a triggercondition from an undeployed state to a deployed state.

At least one aspect relates to a deflector assembly. The deflectorassembly can include a plurality of pins that engage with a sprinklerand a deflector. The deflector includes a plurality of deflector armsthat extend outward from a longitudinal axis. Each deflector arm of theplurality of deflector arms defines a receiver coupled with a respectivepin of the plurality of pins. The plurality of deflector arms move alongthe plurality of pins and parallel with the longitudinal axis responsiveto a trigger condition from an undeployed state to a deployed state.Each pin of the plurality of pins includes a flange to restrict movementof a respective deflector arm of the plurality of deflector arms beyondthe deployed state.

These and other aspects and implementations are discussed in detailbelow. The foregoing information and the following detailed descriptioninclude illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations,and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature andcharacter of the claimed aspects and implementations. The drawingsprovide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspectsand implementations, and are incorporated in and constitute a part ofthis specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Likereference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate likeelements. For purposes of clarity, not every component can be labeled inevery drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a sprinkler system.

FIG. 2 is a section view of an example of a sprinkler of a sprinklersystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various conceptsrelated to, and implementations of sprinkler systems and methods. Firesprinklers can be used to address fire conditions by outputting firesuppression agents, such as water or other fire suppression fluids, toaddress the fire. The fire sprinklers (or the fire suppression agentdelivered to the fire sprinklers) can be controlled to selectivelyoutput fire suppression agents. The various concepts introduced aboveand discussed in greater detail below can be implemented in any ofnumerous ways, including in sprinkler systems that implement concealedsprinklers (e.g., sprinklers installed in a manner that can reduce thephysical extension and visibility of the sprinkler beyond the walls ofthe building) and non-concealed sprinklers.

Sprinklers can be installed by connecting the sprinklers with pipingthat is connected with a fluid supply. For example, in buildings,including residential buildings, sprinklers may be installed so that abody of the sprinkler is positioned in a particular location relative toa wall or ceiling. Locating the sprinkler properly during installationmay be limited by factors such as the position of the piping relative tothe wall or ceiling and a target location for a deflector of thesprinkler during operation.

Systems and methods in accordance with the present disclosure can use asprinkler that includes a deflector that moves along a plurality of pinsin a body of the sprinkler from a first, undeployed position to asecond, deployed position. This can enable a more flexible range oflocations for aligning the sprinkler with the piping, including forconcealed and non-concealed sprinkler implementations. For example, therelative positioning of the sprinkler and the deflector in theundeployed position can be varied, such as during installation of thesprinkler.

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a sprinkler system 100. The sprinklersystem 100 can be used in a variety of applications. The sprinklersystem 100 can be used with a variety of fire suppressant agents,including but not limited to water (e.g., may use powders, liquids,foams, or other fluid or flowable materials).

The sprinkler system 100 can include a fluid supply 104 coupled with oneor more sprinklers 108 using one or more pipes 112. The fluid supply 112can define an internal volume filled (e.g., partially filled, completelyfilled) with fire suppressant agent. The fluid supply 112 can providefluid from a remote or local location to a building in which the firesuppression system 100 is located. The fluid supply may include, forexample, a municipal water supply, pump, piping system, tank, cylinder,or any other source of water or fire suppression agent. The pipes 112(e.g., one or more pipes, tubes, conduits) can be fluidly coupled withthe one or more sprinklers 108.

The sprinkler 108 can be actuated responsive to a fire condition,causing fluid to flow from the fluid supply 104 through the one or morepipes 112 and out of the sprinkler 108. The pipes 112 can extend througha building into a space between walls of the building. The sprinklers108 can be installed in various applications, including horizontalMsidewall, pendent, concealed, and non-concealed applications. Thesprinklers 108 can be installed adjacent to sidewalls or ceilings ofbuildings, including in residential buildings. In various suchapplications, the sprinkler 108 can

FIG. 2 depicts an example of the sprinkler 108. The sprinkler 108includes a connector 204. The connector 204 can be connected with theone or more pipes 112 to receive fluid from the fluid supply 104 asdescribed with reference to FIG. 1 . The connector 204 can include anengagement member 208, such as threading, to connect with the one ormore pipes 112 (or an adapter coupled with the one or more pipes 112).

The connector 204 can receive fluid through a channel 212 that extendsfrom an inlet end 216 to an outlet end 220 along a longitudinal axis202. The sprinkler 108 can have a K-factor of 4.2 [gpm]/[psi]^(1/2)(e.g., for residential applications). The sprinkler 108 can have aK-factor of 5.6 [gpm]/[psi]^(1/2) (e.g., for commercial applications).

The sprinkler 108 includes a body 224 that extends from the outlet end220 of the connector 204. The body 224 can include a body wall 228 thatdefines a chamber 232 connected with the channel 212. The chamber 232can have a greater diameter than the channel 212, such as to allowcomponents such as deflector 248 to be received within the chamber 232while allowing the connector 204 to be sized to connect with the pipes112 (or an adapter coupled with the pipes 112). The body wall 228 can bespaced from and extend around the longitudinal axis 202. The body 224can include a pin wall 236 that extends between the connector 204 andthe body wall 228. The pin wall 236 can extend transverse (e.g.perpendicular to) the longitudinal axis 202 and can intersect thelongitudinal axis 202.

The pin wall 236 can define at least one pin receiver 240. The pinreceivers 240 can be defined outward from the connector 204 relative tothe longitudinal axis 202. For example, the pin receivers 240 can bebetween the connector 204 and the body wall 228.

The pin receivers 240 can receive and be coupled with (e.g., fixed with)at least one corresponding pin 244. The pins 244 can be fixed to the pinwall 236, and can include flanges 250 to prevent movement of the pins244 relative to the pin wall 236. For example, the flanges 250 can havea greater width than the pin receivers 240 in a direction in which theflanges 250 extend transverse to the longitudinal axis 202 to preventmovement of the pins 244 along the longitudinal axis 202. The flanges250 can have a greater width than at least a portion of the pins 244adjacent to the flanges 250, allowing the portion of the pins 244 totranslate relative to the pin receivers 240 up to contact between theflanges 250 and the pin wall 236. The flanges 250 can be outside thechamber 232 (e.g., while the pins 244 are received in the pin receivers240). The pins 244 can be fixed (e.g., riveted) to the pin wall 236.

The pins 244 can have a greater length (e.g., in a direction along thelongitudinal axis 202) relative to a width or diameter (e.g., in adirection transverse to the longitudinal axis). The pins 244 can becylindrical.

The sprinkler 108 includes a deflector 248. The deflector 248 canreceive fluid from the channel 212 and output the fluid according to atarget spray pattern. The target spray pattern can correspond with anapplication of the sprinkler 108, such as an orientation of thesprinkler 108 relative to a room in which the sprinkler 108 is located,or a shape of the room. The target spray pattern can correspond withstructural features of the deflector 248 as described herein. Thedeflector 248 can include various tines, edges, openings, angledmembers, or other features to cause the fluid to be outputted with thetarget spray pattern as the fluid comes into contact with the deflector248.

The deflector 248 can move along the pins 244, such as to move from anundeployed state to a deployed state (depicted in FIG. 2 ). Thedeflector 248 can be slidingly coupled with the pins 244. The undeployedstate can be a state in which at least a portion of the deflector 248 isrelatively closer to the pin wall 236 than in the deployed state, suchas if the deflector 248 is received within the chamber 232 to an extentthat the deflector 248 does not extend beyond an end wall 252 of thebody 224, which can facilitate a minimal form factor for the sprinkler108. The end wall 252 can form an edge of the body wall 228. A majority(e.g., at least fifty percent; at least eighty percent) of the length ofthe pins 244 can be in the chamber 232 while the deflector 248 is ineach of the undeployed state and the deployed state.

The undeployed state can correspond to various positions along thelongitudinal axis 202 to allow for flexible installation of thesprinkler 108. For example, the sprinkler 108 can be more flexiblyinstalled by allowing the relative distance between the deflector 248and the end wall 252 (or pin wall 236) to be adjusted duringinstallation, such as to allow the sprinkler 108 to be sufficientlyrecessed into a ceiling or wall while positioning the deflector 248 in atarget position for undeployed state.

The deflector 248 can include at least one deflector arm 256. Thedeflector arms 256 can extend outward relative to the longitudinal axis202 (e.g., when the deflector 248 is coupled with the pins 244). Thedeflector arms 256 can be symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 202.The at least one deflector arm 256 can include one deflector arm 256 foreach pin 244.

The deflector arm 256 can include a receiver 260 (e.g., sleeve) sized toreceive the pin 244 (e.g., rather than riveting the pins 244 to thedeflector arms 256). The receivers 260 can allow the deflector 248 tomove along the pins 244, such as to move between the undeployed stateand the deployed state. The receivers 260 can have an inner diametergreater than a minimum outer diameter of the pins 244 to allow thedeflector arms 256 to slide along the pins 244.

At least one of the length (e.g. receiver length 262 discussed below),inner diameter, and surface area of the receivers 260 and a respectiveat least one of the minimum outer diameter and surface area of the pins244 can be within a threshold difference of one another to form africtional engagement between the pins 244 and receivers 260 having aforce that is greater than a first force threshold to preventinadvertent movement of the deflector 248 relative to the pins 244(e.g., so that the weight of the deflector 248 while the longitudinalaxis 202 is aligned with a direction of gravity is not sufficient tocause the deflector 248 to slide along the pins 244) and less than asecond force threshold to allow for the deflector 248 to be moved alongthe pins 244 by hand (e.g., when installing the sprinkler 108) (and alsoless than a third force threshold that is greater than the second forcethreshold, the third force threshold corresponding to a force applied byfluid outputted through the channel 216 against the deflector 248responsive to the seal breaking).

Ends of the pins 244 opposite the flanges 250 can have a relativelygreater diameter to define a maximum linear motion of the deflector 248(e.g., prevent the deflector from moving off the pins 244). Thereceivers 260 can define a receiver length 262 along which the pins 244are received. The receiver length 262 (e.g., along with diameters asdescribed above) can be sized to enable a smooth transition between theundeployed and deployed states, such as to reduce frictional bindingbetween the receivers 260 and the pins 244 that would otherwise causethe force of the frictional engagement to be greater than the thirdthreshold. For example, the receiver length 262 can be greater than thediameter of the receiver 260. A ratio of the receiver length 262 to thediameter of the receiver 260 can be greater than 1 and less than 2.

The deflector 248 can move along the pins 244 from the undeployed stateto the deployed state responsive to a trigger condition. The triggercondition can be associated with a fire condition. For example, thesprinkler 108 can include a thermally responsive trigger (not shown),such as a fusible link or a glass bulb that breaks responsive to atemperature around the thermally responsive trigger being greater than athreshold temperature indicative of the fire condition. Responsive tobreaking, the thermally responsive trigger can release the deflector248, such as by releasing a seal coupled with at least one of thechamber 232 and the deflector 248, allowing the deflector 248 to movealong the pins 244 from the undeployed state to the deployed state(e.g., responsive to fluid driving the deflector 248). For example,pressure from fluid in the channel 212 (which was previously sealed) candrive the deflector 248 to the deployed state.

By allowing the deflector 248 to move along the pins 244, the sprinkler108 can be installed with greater flexibility. For example, the positionof the sprinkler 108 along the longitudinal axis 202 relative to thepipes 112 and other structures (e.g., walls) that the sprinkler 108 iscoupled with or positioned nearby can be adjusted based on where thedeflector 248 is positioned along the pins 244 in the undeployed state,such as to allow the sprinkler 108 to be concealed (e.g., behind acover) or otherwise retracted when installed, yet still able to move toan appropriate position in the deployed state in order to achieve thetarget spray pattern during operation.

As depicted in FIG. 2 , the deflector 248 can include a plate 264 and aplurality of tines 268, such as for a horizontal sidewall application.In various applications, the deflector 248 can include various suchstructures. The plate 264 and tines 268 can deflect the fluid receivedthrough channel 212 according to the target spray pattern.

The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown inthe various embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a fewembodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements may bereversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discreteelements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method stepsmay be varied or re-sequenced. Other substitutions, modifications,changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditionsand arrangement of embodiments without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to include any given ranges ornumbers+/−10%. These terms include insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited inthe appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, asused herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicatethat such embodiments are possible examples, representations, orillustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intendedto connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary orsuperlative examples).

The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g.,removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the twomembers coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled toeach other using a separate intervening member and any additionalintermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two memberscoupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If“coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term(e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” providedabove is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term(e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without anyseparate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition thanthe generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may bemechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

The term “or,” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and notin its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements,the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that anelement may be either X, Y, Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z(i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive languageis not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require atleast one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each bepresent, unless otherwise indicated.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of variouselements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation ofvarious elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

Although the figures show a specific order of method steps, the order ofthe steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps maybe performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variationwill depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designerchoice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure.Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standardprogramming techniques with rule based logic and other logic toaccomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparisonsteps and decision steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sprinkler, comprising: a connector extendingbetween an inlet end and an outlet end; a body comprising: a pin wallextending from the outlet end of the connector, the pin wall defining atleast one pin receiver; and a body wall extending from the pin wall, thepin wall and the body wall define a chamber; at least one pin fixed withthe at least one pin receiver; and a deflector coupled with the at leastone pin to move within the chamber along the at least one pin responsiveto a trigger condition from an undeployed state to a deployed state. 2.The sprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the connector defines alongitudinal axis; and the deflector moves along the at least one pin ina direction parallel with the longitudinal axis.
 3. The sprinkler ofclaim 1, comprising: the body comprises an end wall extending from thebody wall; and the deflector is positioned in the chamber and does notextend beyond the end wall in the undeployed state.
 4. The sprinkler ofclaim 1, comprising: the connector defines a longitudinal axis; the atleast one pin receiver comprises a plurality of pin receivers radiallyoutward from the longitudinal axis; and the at least one pin comprises aplurality of pins radially outward from the longitudinal axis.
 5. Thesprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the deflector comprises at least onedeflector receiver coupled with the at least one pin, the at least onedeflector receiver having a length greater than a diameter.
 6. Thesprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the deflector comprises: at least onedeflector arm defining a receiver to receive the at least one pin; and aplurality of tines coupled with the at least one deflector arm.
 7. Thesprinkler of claim 1, comprising: the at least one pin comprises aflange to restrict movement of the deflector.
 8. The sprinkler of claim1, comprising: the deflector is positioned in a horizontal concealedsidewall position.
 9. A sprinkler system, comprising: one or more pipescoupled with a fluid supply; and a sprinkler, comprising: a connectorextending between an inlet end and an outlet end; a pin wall extendingfrom the outlet end of the connector, the pin wall defining at least onepin receiver; at least one pin fixed with the at least one pin receiver;and a deflector coupled with the at least one pin to move along the atleast one pin responsive to a trigger condition from an undeployed stateto a deployed state.
 10. The sprinkler system of claim 9, comprising:the connector defines a longitudinal axis; and the deflector moves alongthe at least one pin in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis.11. The sprinkler system of claim 9, comprising: the sprinkler comprisesa body wall extending from the pin wall and an end wall at an edge ofthe body wall opposite the pin wall, the pin wall, the body wall, andthe end wall define a chamber coupled with the connector; and thedeflector is positioned in the chamber and does not extend beyond theend wall in the undeployed state.
 12. The sprinkler system of claim 9,comprising: the connector defines a longitudinal axis; the at least onepin receiver comprises a plurality of pin receivers radially outwardfrom the longitudinal axis; and the at least one pin comprises aplurality of pins radially outward from the longitudinal axis.
 13. Thesprinkler system of claim 9, comprising: the pin wall extends radiallyoutward from the connector.
 14. The sprinkler system of claim 9,comprising: the deflector comprises: at least one deflector arm defininga receiver to receive the at least one pin; and a plurality of tinescoupled with the at least one deflector arm.
 15. The sprinkler system ofclaim 9, comprising: the at least one pin comprises a flange to restrictmovement of the deflector.
 16. The sprinkler system of claim 9,comprising: the deflector is positioned in a horizontal concealedsidewall position.
 17. A deflector assembly, comprising: a plurality ofpins that engage with a sprinkler; and a deflector, comprising: aplurality of deflector arms that extend outward from a longitudinalaxis, each deflector arm of the plurality of deflector arms defines areceiver coupled with a respective pin of the plurality of pins, theplurality of deflector arms move along the plurality of pins andparallel with the longitudinal axis responsive to a trigger conditionfrom an undeployed state to a deployed state, each pin of the pluralityof pins comprises a flange to restrict movement of a respectivedeflector arm of the plurality of deflector arms beyond the deployedstate.
 18. The deflector assembly of claim 17, comprising: a pluralityof tines that extend from at least one deflector arm of the plurality ofdeflector arms.
 19. The deflector assembly of claim 17, comprising: aplate that extends from at least one deflector arm of the plurality ofdeflector arms.
 20. The deflector assembly of claim 17, comprising: thedeflector is sized to not extend beyond a chamber of the sprinkler whenreceived in the chamber in the undeployed state.